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Hadash Party head, Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, an MK (Member of Knesset) of the party, were shoved out from the Knesset during US President Donald Trump’s speech while he was praising envoy Steve Witkoff, on Monday.
Their ejection from Knesset caused a mild drama as Trump was made to pause mid-speech after which he threw a light shade at the duo, describing the whole episode as ‘very efficient’.
There are 120 members of Israel’s unicameral parliament called Knesset who are popularly elected from a single nationwide electoral district to concurrent four-year terms.
During the speech, the MKs shouted “terrorist” at Trump and held up signs that read “Recognize Palestine.”
“That was very efficient,” Trump said, as Cassif and Odeh were escorted out by Knesset security.
In response to his ejection from the Knesset, Odeh said that he had “raised the most basic demand, a demand that the entire international community agrees upon: To recognize a Palestinian state.”
Cassif said that the pair “didn’t come to disturb, but to demand justice.”
Odeh says Knesset was hypocritical shortly ahead of Trump speech
Shortly before the speech, Odeh slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that the “level of hypocrisy in the Knesset is unbearable.”
“Elevating Netanyahu through unprecedented flattery, orchestrated by a choreographed band, does not absolve him or his government of the crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, nor the responsibility for the bloodshed of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian victims and thousands of Israeli victims,” he continued.
“But I am here solely because of the ceasefire and the overall deal,” he added.
“And to all those living in the disconnected bubble of the Knesset: despite a full right-wing government, despite the cynical use of October 7, and despite the genocidal war, the government of crimes has failed to change the simple equation: There are two peoples here, and they will remain here.
“Only ending the occupation, and only recognizing the State of Palestine alongside Israel, will bring justice, peace, and security for all.”
-Jerusalem Post
